Geologic Hydrogen
INL advances research to identify, understand and recover naturally occurring hydrogen resources, supporting reliable domestic energy supplies through geoscience, testing and subsurface modeling.
What is geologic hydrogen?
Hydrogen is an adaptable, versatile and abundant source of energy. Most hydrogen comes from industrial processes, which can be energy-intensive to produce. Geologic hydrogen forms within Earth’s crust. This largely untapped resource is estimated to cost less than $2 per kilogram in the United States.
The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that there are up to 5.6 million metric tons of geologic hydrogen in reservoirs across the globe. INL is at the forefront of exploring and developing innovative methods to locate and extract geological hydrogen.
How is geologic hydrogen formed?
Geologic hydrogen forms through natural processes such as serpentinization, where water reacts with iron-rich rocks, and radiolysis, where natural radiation breaks down water molecules. These reactions occur deep within Earth’s crust and can continue for thousands of years, slowly generating hydrogen.
The Snake River Plain in southern Idaho is a prime location for exploring geologic hydrogen. Its extensive basalt formations support serpentinization, and its geothermal activity can accelerate the process. Hydrogen is generated at shallow depths through basalt-water reactions and migrates upward through fissures and vents.
It can also be generated to a higher extent at greater depths in the Mafic Sill Complex, a stratified (layered) body of solidified magma 15-25 kilometers beneath Idaho’s Eastern Snake River Plain. Within the complex, the combination of heat, iron and magnesium-rich minerals within the rocks, and fluid interactions with the rocks generate hydrogen through serpentinization.
INL's Research
INL is conducting a range of research and development activities to better understand and harness geologic hydrogen:
- Hydrogen sampling and monitoring across the Snake River Plain
- Batch and flow-through experiments to study hydrogen generation under realistic subsurface conditions
- Catalyst screening to identify materials that can stimulate hydrogen production and improve efficiency
- Thermal, hydrological, mechanical and chemical modeling to predict hydrogen behavior underground, optimize production and assess risks such as induced seismicity
- Techno-economic analysis to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and scalability of geologic hydrogen production
- Multiphase flow simulations to model how hydrogen and water move through enhanced rock formations
Connect with our Team
Questions about our research, capabilities or collaboration opportunities?
Our team is ready to connect you with the right experts and resources at INL.
Ghanashyam Neupane